Starz's 50 Cent Drama 'Power' Casts Its Lead, and It Isn't 50 Cent

The recent cancellation of Starz's 'Magic City' and rumors swirling about 'The White Queen''s impending demise may put the premium cable network in something of a bind, but rapper 50 Cent will soon flex his 'Power' behind the camera. The network's upcoming Curtis Jackson-produced drama has officially cast its leading man in 'Kick-Ass' star Omari Hardwick, putting to rest talk that 50 himself might take the role.

Hardwick will take the lead role of James "Ghost" St. Patrick, an affluent New York City nightclub owner who caters to the city's elite, with an eye on building an empire and turning the club into a Fortune 500 business, save for the problem of living a double life. Ghost also acts as the kingpin of the most lucrative drug network in New York for a very high-level clientele, threatening his marriage, family and business when he becomes tempted to leave the criminal life behind.

“Omari is an actor of incredible range and versatility,” said Starz Managing Director Carmi Zlotnik. “When we met Omari, we knew he had all the tools needed to play such a complicated and complex character. We look forward to him bringing Ghost to life on the screen.”

‘The Good Wife‘ writer-producer Courtney Kemp Agboh has been hired as showrunner, while production on the first eight-episode season will begin in late 2013. Mark Canton ('300: Rise of an Empire,' 'Escape Plan'), Randall Emmett ('2 Guns') and David Knoller will executive produce in association with CBS Television Studios.

So, no 50 Cent on TV for the foreseeable future, but we'll get by. What say you? Do you have any interest in checking out Starz's 'Power'?